Radiography School Conduct & Performance Standards

I. POLICY

A. This policy provides guidelines for a fair and consistent process to administer corrective action when an student has violated conduct and performance standards at the University of Akron (UA) or at any of its affiliated Clinical Education Centers (CEC), has displayed repetitive performance problems, or has engaged in reckless behavior.

B. It is the intent of the UA Radiography program to maintain high performance expectations of its Radiography students. When these are not met, it is the responsibility of the program faculty to communicate this concern to the student on a timely basis, gather the facts associated with the issue (includes talking with the student involved at some point during the investigation) and administer a corrective action if an infraction has occurred. Generally, the appropriate step of the corrective action process is determined by the frequency and/or severity of the infraction and if previous corrective actions have already taken place.

C. The UA Radiography program uses a corrective action process consisting of four (4) levels to assure that all students are treated in a fair and consistent manner. The list of conduct and performance standard violations outlined within this policy are not all inclusive but illustrates some of the more common, inappropriate, conduct and performance standard violations that result in a corrective action. After investigating, assessing, and determining if an infraction occurred, the program faculty will determine the appropriate corrective action step consistent with the guidelines. A more progressive corrective action will be used: 1. for a repeated, persistent incident 2. more serious incident 3. if multiple infractions of the same standard have occurred simultaneously 4. if multiple standards have been violated simultaneously

D. If an infraction is determined to have occurred, the program faculty will meet with the student in a confidential meeting to discuss the substandard performance or conduct and will document the information discussed in the meeting using a Corrective Action Form. Once the Corrective Action Form is reviewed with the student, it will be maintained by the program faculty. The information that will be documented on a Corrective Action Form will be: 1. a specific description of the problem with all relevant information and dates 2. the performance and/or conduct standard that needs to be met and any appropriate deadlines (the program policy that was violated) 3. the current corrective action(s) taken 4. the future corrective action(s) that will be taken if the problem persists 5. a proposed action plan to correct the problem and to prevent future occurrences

II. COUNSELING

A. This level is initiated by the program faculty when an student's performance or conduct falls below standards and expectations. The following list of Counseling conduct and performance standards is maintained to ensure that, when given, is consistent throughout the UA Radiography program (this list is not all inclusive but illustrates some of the more common infractions that result in Counseling): 1. Failure to maintain student performance expectations 2. Violation of the UA Radiography School’s Attendance Policy a. Specific attendance violations include the following: (1) Failure to report to assigned clinical area on time or from a lunch/break (2) Leaving the assigned clinical area without supervisory permission (3) Leaving the CEC premises without supervisory permission (4) Failure to report off from an assigned area (5) Failure to follow contracted agreement to make up any clinical time 3. Violation of the UA Radiography School’s Dress Code Policy 4. Violation of a CEC’s Parking Policy 5. Violation of the UA Radiography School’s Radiation Policy 6. Violation of the CEC’S Smoking and/or Identification Badge policies 7. Violation of the CEC’s Health or Safety Policy or failure to report an infectious condition of public health concern 8. Engaging in personal activities or non-Student Radiography related activities during clinical time without supervisory permission 9. Eating or drinking in a patient care area or other restricted area 10. Violation of a CEC’s blood borne pathogen policies 11. Consuming a patient’s food 12. Negligence or improper use of CEC property including careless waste of materials, resources, or supplies 13. Unauthorized soliciting, selling, or distributing of merchandise for personal profit, or acceptance of tips or gratuities 14. Loitering or engaging in unauthorized visits to other departments while either on assignment at a CEC or off hours (includes conducting personal business at a CEC) 15. Performing a clinical examination under indirect supervision before being tested out on that particular exam 16. Repeating a clinical examination without direct supervision 17. Unauthorized posting or removal of notices and other communications on the CEC premises 18. Carelessness while performing clinical duties 19. Speaking or acting in an inappropriate or discourteous manner to a patient, visitor, or other CEC staff resulting in minor consequences 20. Violation of any CEC or Radiology Department policies

III. WRITTEN/FINAL WRITTEN WARNING A. Generally, the following violations will result in a written or final warning. Continued violations of these items will result in corrective actions up to and including termination from the UA Radiography program. Guidelines marked with an asterisk (*) will warrant a minimum of a Final Written Warning: 1. Inappropriate conduct or unprofessional behavior to include creating a hostile work environment caused by aggressive behavior, constant complaining, spreading rumors, or undermining supervision 2. Unprofessional conduct directed towards internal resources (CEC staff, physicians, other patient care units, etc.) or external resources (other CECs, referral sources, etc.) which demean or otherwise disparage the reputation, qualifications or the level of care provided 3. Use of profane or abusive language 4. Insubordination (willful refusal to follow or comply to a request of duly authorized person) 5. Failure to participate in a CEC-required health or safety-related treatment procedure to include a failure to report to the appropriate supervisor a personal injury on a CEC’S premises 6. Negligent or willful violation of a safety rule or policy including failure to complete mandatory safety training requirements 7. Negligent clinical performance or violation of a patient care policy or procedure resulting in the endangerment of patients or families 8. Unauthorized entry into a restricted area 9. Gambling, conducting games of chance or possession of gambling devices on a CEC’S premises 10. Violations of the ARRT Code of Ethics and/or a CEC’S Conflict of Interest Policy 11. Failure to maintain qualifications (e.g. CPR certification, etc.) deemed necessary or desirable for the student’s position 12. * Sleeping on the job 13. * Reporting to a CEC under the influence of alcohol or drugs 14. * Inappropriate access of confidential or sensitive information regarding patients, physicians, other students, CEC’S, or its employees

IV. TERMINATION A. Generally, the following violations will result in termination from the CEC’S Radiography program: 1. Theft or attempted theft from fellow students, CEC employees, or CEC patients. This includes unauthorized removal of a CEC’S property and unauthorized possession of a CEC’S property 2. Falsification of information or altering records (e.g. program admission application, time off requests, time records, medical reports, patient records, charges, etc.). Also includes falsifying other student or CEC’S employee records 3. Deliberate defacing, destruction, or damage of other student’s, CEC’S employee’s, or a patient’s property 4. Concealment or possession of weapons, firearms, or explosives 5. Unauthorized possession, use, or distribution of alcoholic beverages or drugs not prescribed for personal use by a physician 6. Willful clinical performance or violation of a patient care policy or procedure resulting in the endangerment of patients and families 7. Engaging in discriminatory practices or making an inappropriate comment regarding one’s race, religion, sex, national origin, age, color, or disability 8. Use of CEC’S or a CEC’s telephone, e-mail system, internet connection, or any other form of communication for any illegal activities or to create, view, or communicate any offensive messages (e.g. profanity, sexual implications, racial slurs, or any offensive allusions to another’s age, gender, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, national origin, disability, or other hate messages stated or implied, etc.) 9. Physical and verbal acts of sexual harassment 10. Fighting or inciting a fight, acting in a threatening manner to a patient, visitor, vendor, physician, another student, or employee 11. Disclosing or discussing confidential or sensitive information regarding patients, doctors, CEC’S, other students, or it’s employees 12. Using or consuming a patient’s medicine 13. Severe insubordination (serious and inappropriate behavior toward a staff Radiographer, faculty member, supervisor, or manager) 14. No call-no show for a period of three (3) consecutive scheduled days or on three (3) separate occasions 15. Refusal to submit to tests when asked and suspected as performing under the influence of alcohol and/or other drugs 16. Failure to maintain the license or practice credentials (e.g. license, credentials, certifications, etc.) required for a Student Radiographer position 17. Other serious or gross misconduct

V. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

A. STEPS OF CORRECTIVE ACTION 1. Offensives are investigated by the program faculty and evaluated for what step is to be taken first. Advisement from a CEC’S Human Resources Department may be sought to assure that the corrective action taken is not excessive for that offense. Assuming a minor offense, the steps of corrective actions are as follows: a. First (1st) Offense: Verbal Warning and/or Written Counseling b. Second (2nd) Offense: Written Warning (or Final Written Warning) c. Third (3rd) Offense: Final Written Warning (or Dismissal) d. Fourth (4th) Offenses: Dismissal B. DUE PROCESS If the Student Radiographer contests the Corrective Action that was given, the student has the option of appealing that action through the Appeal Policy. The process for appeal is outlined in the UA Appeal Policy and the decision of the Appeal Committee is final.